Lethal darts 'rarely used in modern wars' are fired by Russian troops

[rayg]

Lethal darts 'rarely used in modern wars' fired into Ukrainian city by Russian troops

The sharp, finned projectiles called flechettes, which experts have said are rarely seen or used in modern conflict, rained over Bucha prior to the Russians withdrawal late last month, They are generally exploded over soft targets such as troops in the open exposed or in trenches/fox holes.

Locals in the Ukrainian city of Bucha have told of how their homes were showered with lethal darts, which burst out of artillery shells during Russia's attack on the city last month.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/lethal-darts-rarely-used-modern-26749257

[Vern Humphrey]

You're kidding. We used flechettes lavishly in Viet Nam -- we even had 40 mm flechette rounds for grenade launchers.

[RED]

I don?t recall any Navy ordinance that contained so called darts. In WWII both sides used them and as a kid I remember the surplus store that had a barrel full of them and they were priced at $.05 each or 100 for $1.

[dryheat]

Left over junk, may as well use them. A company that I worked for developed a kooky dart that was supposed to set off mines on the beach before the troops arrived. They made a few thousand. Then threw them away.

[rayg]

You're kidding. We used flechettes lavishly in Viet Nam -- we even had 40 mm flechette rounds for grenade launchers.

The article said rarely, not never! I suppose they were good to use in jungles, tall grass or areas of concealment!!

[Major Tom]

I remember our artillery firing flechette rounds into mass waves of VC/NVA attackers from 155mm cannons. The bodies were torn to pieces! More damage done than cannister rounds!

[Vern Humphrey]

The article said rarely, not never! I suppose they were good to use in jungles, tall grass or areas of concealment!!

They were used in aerial ordnance, small arms (the 40mm grenade launcher) and artillery. More than once artillery inside my perimeter used them at point blank range against VC and NVA.